Research >> Economics
New Orders for Durable Goods Decreased 1.3%, ex-trans up 2.8%
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New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $2.2 billion or 1.3 percent to $176.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease followed three consecutive monthly increases, including a 1.1 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.8 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.2 percent. Transportation equipment, down two consecutive months, had the largest decrease, $5.9 billion or 12.9 percent to $40.2 billion. This was due to nondefense aircraft and parts which decreased $6.5 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.2 billion or 1.2 percent to $182.2 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February decrease. Machinery, up two consecutive months, had the largest increase, $1.0 billion or 4.3 percent to $24.0 billion.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.3 billion or 0.3 percent to $719.8 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, had the largest decrease, $4.6 billion or 1.1 percent to $408.6 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up three consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.2 percent to $304.7 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February increase. Primary metals, up five consecutive months, had the largest increase, $0.5 billion or 1.8 percent to $27.1 billion.
Posted: April 23, 2010 Friday 08:30 AM